The U.S. currency is the dollar ($). Money comes in $1 bills and coins, bills of $2 (rare), $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100, and larger, rarely seen, denominations. American bills often confuse visitors: they are the same size and the same green color, except for the new $20 bill, which has peach and blue accents.

Be careful not to hand over too much cash, and always check your change carefully.

One dollar is made up of 100 cents, in coins of 1 cent (usually called a "penny"), 5 cents (a "nickel"), 10 cents (a "dime"), and 25 cents (a "quarter"). Fifty-cent and $1 coins exist as well but are less common.

Travelers' checks in U.S. dollars are safer to carry than large amounts of cash. Do not bring travelers' checks in any other currency, however; it will be difficult to find a bank prepared to accept them.

Travelers' checks issued by American Express, Visa, and Thomas Cook are almost universally accepted as cash in shops, restaurants, and gas stations, and change from your transaction will be given to you in cash.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has currency exchange offices in the international arrival hall (Terminal 4).

Most large banks and several independent bureaus exchange major foreign currencies, but neighborhood banks are unlikely to offer foreign currency exchange.

The Web site www.xe.com provides a useful "Universal Currency Converter" with up-to-date currency exchange information.

We strongly advise that you bring a valid credit card with you. You can expect to pay for most of your larger expenses by credit or debit card. A debit card looks and works like a credit card but takes money directly out of your bank account; most ATM cards in the U.S. also function as debit cards.

Where to Use Your Credit Card
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at hotels, retail stores, grocery stores, gas stations, dry cleaners, restaurants, auto repair centers, movie theaters, and banks. Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted cards, followed by American Express, Discover Card, and Diners Club. Note that hotels and car rental agencies usually ask for an imprint of your credit card as security even if you intend to settle the bill in cash.

Small businesses, such as bars, small cafes, and hair salons, may not accept credit cards or checks - always ask first to make sure.

Using Your Credit Card to Withdraw Cash
If you have a MasterCard, a Visa card, or a cash-dispensing card linked to an international network such as Cirrus, Plus, Maestro, or Visa Debit, you can use your card to withdraw cash from cash machines (ATMs). If you have a debit card from your home bank account, you can probably use it for purchases just as you would at home.

Currency exchange fees are applied to all card transactions, but by staying within the network, you may avoid paying an international transaction fee. Before you leave home, remember to make arrangements to pay the monthly credit card bills. Direct debit is very useful for this.

Getting a U.S. Credit Card
If you will be in the U.S. for some time, you may wish to apply for a credit card in U.S. dollars. This will save you from paying the currency exchange fees on your transactions.

Banks normally offer credit cards to individuals on the basis of their U.S. credit history. If you have not recently been resident in the U.S., it is unlikely that you will have any credit history on file, and your application for a credit card will probably be refused. However, if you have a checking account with a U.S. bank, you may be able to get a credit card through the bank. A bank will often provide you with a credit card linked to your account if you agree to keep a minimum balance in your account at all times.

Note that credit cards in the U.S. can have steep fees. Interest rates on unpaid balances can go above 20%, and late-payment fees are often $30 or more.